1. hvb

    hvb Member

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    Compromising material

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by hvb, Jan 11, 2014.

    No, I am not showing anything compromising here! LOL.
    I am wondering, is there another word for that. In my story the compromising material is an old email with photos, but this will not be revealed until the climax.
    But it plays a major role in the story and I need to refer to it regularly in a general term.
    Anyone?
    Thanks
    Hetty
     
  2. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    delicate material
    blackmail fodder
    embarrassing stuff

    and so on...
     
  3. hvb

    hvb Member

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    Thanks. It actually is blackmail fodder and I was also looking for a word for "the stuff that is being used to blackmail her"
    There probably is a legal term, but there may be other ones....
     
  4. Dean Stride

    Dean Stride Senior Member

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    Are you looking for extortion?
     
  5. hvb

    hvb Member

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    I suppose extortion involves money? My character is being blackmailed by the police into silence about a cover up involving her husband.
     
  6. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    The dirt
     
  7. Dean Stride

    Dean Stride Senior Member

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    Not really. I've never imagined it to always involve money, and I've never seen any definition that says so either. But that's just me, I can't really say how other people view it, but I can guess.

    Most of the times I define the word to mean 'to demand something from someone using compromising material'. For example, I've encountered the word extortion used for demanding sex services, and it fits well. Ultimately, it's up to you.
     
  8. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Extortion also includes demanding something by means of a threat.

    "Pay me two hundred a week or I'll wipe out your business and kill your family." That is also extortion. So is, "Give me your lunch money or you get a brown swirly."
     
  9. hvb

    hvb Member

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    This is the opposite: don't tell on me or I'll tell on you! I suppose thought, it IS a threat.
     

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